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General discussion

Canon i860 printing only in cyan

Jun 19, 2006 3:40AM PDT

I've had this printer for a couple of years and in the past 3 or 4 months started having various problems with it.

First, the black ink would skip every other line (the lines of print would look faded), now my printer will only print in black and cyan. Doesn't matter what colors there are on the photos or type, it just prints out in cyan and black.

Anyone have any ideas on what the problem is or how to fix it?? I've done multiple head cleanings, alignments, etc. I don't want to have to call Canon and pay $9.95 for them to tell me the print head needs replacing.

Discussion is locked

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heads or cartridges
Jun 27, 2006 12:25PM PDT

Either the cartridge is dry or there is something wrong with the head.

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Manual cleaning...
Oct 13, 2009 7:19PM PDT

Since you've used this printer for some time it needs a true manual cleaning to remove all crud/build-up. The problem will only get worse and fail all together and only a prthd. replacement will do. For that cost, you're better off buying another printer.

To clean prthd. just shut down during its initial power_ON, pull the AC plug. That way the prthd. carriage can move back and forth by hand. Using a clean shop paper towels(strong) or T-shirts make swatches, moisten(water) and wipe portion of prthd. face. Repeat until clean or appears suitable. Clean also the "parking area/station of its build-up. I don't recommend Q-tips it may leave fibers behind causing issues of its own. Once all done, return Ac cord, redo some cleaning cycles and then test output. If all is OK, it'll run good. If not and problem remains, you have a possible bad prthd. period, it needs replacement. You may have to remove the outer cover to better access the prthd. carriage and parking area. All this cab be done, if you're capable, otherwise think replacement. Buy another i860 used/new via eBay or Craigslist or another Canon printer in order to use any extra ink carts left or move on to entirely new model.

Service manual: http://printer1.blogspot.com/2009/01/canon-i860-i865-service-manual.html (if needed or good reading)

tada -----Willy Happy

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reply
Nov 9, 2009 6:30PM PST

I think you have to clean your head of printer.May be it was clogged.

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Reply
Feb 10, 2010 5:08PM PST

This looks problem of clogged head.You can try manual process to clean your printer head.For that you have to use alcohol.Do not use water.And after that put your cartridge back in printer and run cleaning cycle at once.